Russia is facing growing pressure on its fuel supplies after Ukrainian drone strikes hit several oil refineries and transport routes. Experts say the problems could become more serious as summer demand for petrol and diesel rises.
Fuel supply problems have appeared in more than 10 Russian regions. Some filling stations have limited petrol sales, while others have temporarily stopped selling fuel.
The biggest shortages are in Russian-occupied Crimea. Drone strikes disrupted a key road linking the peninsula with southern Russia, slowing fuel deliveries. Local authorities now provide premium petrol only through ration coupons. Drivers can buy only up to 20 litres of regular petrol at a time.
Some filling stations in the neighbouring Krasnodar region also stopped fuel sales for a short period. Officials said demand increased as many drivers travelled from Crimea to refuel.
Fuel shortages have also affected the Kursk, Belgorod, Ryazan and Oryol regions, as well as Moscow. Similar problems have emerged in St. Petersburg, north-western Russia, Siberia and the Far East. Most of the reports involve smaller independent filling stations.
Russia usually sees higher fuel demand during summer because of farming, holiday travel and planned refinery maintenance. This year, drone strikes have added to those seasonal pressures by damaging several major refineries and reducing fuel production.
Official figures show petroleum product output fell by 9% in April compared with the same month last year. Industry estimates suggest production dropped by about 13% in May.
The Russian government has created a task force to monitor fuel supplies. It has also restricted petrol exports and increased fuel imports from Belarus to support the domestic market.
Experts say repairs to damaged refineries could take several months. They also say sanctions have made it harder for Russia to obtain specialised equipment needed for repairs.
Analysts expect fuel prices to continue rising gradually if supply problems continue. However, government price controls are likely to prevent sharp increases at retail pumps.
Experts say the drone strikes have increased costs for Russia’s oil industry by reducing refinery output and disrupting transport. They believe the wider economic impact remains limited because Russia can still export crude oil that is not refined at home. However, if attacks continue and refinery repairs are delayed, fuel shortages could spread to more regions in the coming weeks.
